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− | [[Image:White_wagtail_by_Christian_Mihai.jpg|thumb|550px|right|''M. a. alba'' <br />Photo by {{user|Christian_Mihai|Christian Mihai}}<br />Bucharest, [[Romania]], April 2009]] | + | [[Image:White_wagtail_by_Christian_Mihai.jpg|thumb|550px|right|White Wagtail ''M. a. alba'', adult male <br />Photo © by {{user|Christian_Mihai|Christian Mihai}}<br />Bucharest, [[Romania]], 20 April 2009]] |
;[[:Category:Motacilla|Motacilla]] alba | ;[[:Category:Motacilla|Motacilla]] alba | ||
'''Includes: Pied Wagtail; Masked Wagtail; Black-backed Wagtail; Amur Wagtail; Himalayan Wagtail''' | '''Includes: Pied Wagtail; Masked Wagtail; Black-backed Wagtail; Amur Wagtail; Himalayan Wagtail''' | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
+ | [[Image:16th-Jan-011a.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Pied Wagtail ''M. a. yarrelli'', adult male<br />Photo © by {{user|christineredgate|christineredgate}}<br />[[Hodbarrow|Haverigg]], [[Cumbria]], 16 January 2009]] | ||
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Length 16.5–18 cm (6-7 in), weight 17-25 g<br /> | Length 16.5–18 cm (6-7 in), weight 17-25 g<br /> | ||
Nominate subspecies in spring plumage is grey above with two white wingbars and white edgings to several feather tracts and white below (including relatively clean flanks), it has a white face, black cap and black throat; male has sharp demarkation of cap versus mantle, female diffuse. | Nominate subspecies in spring plumage is grey above with two white wingbars and white edgings to several feather tracts and white below (including relatively clean flanks), it has a white face, black cap and black throat; male has sharp demarkation of cap versus mantle, female diffuse. | ||
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In winter, the black in the throat area is reduced to a relatively narrow band, and the contrast on the upperside is reduced to the extent that the female may completely lack the black cap. | In winter, the black in the throat area is reduced to a relatively narrow band, and the contrast on the upperside is reduced to the extent that the female may completely lack the black cap. | ||
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Variation among subspecies is large; for descriptive notes on other subspecies see the taxonomy section. | Variation among subspecies is large; for descriptive notes on other subspecies see the taxonomy section. | ||
+ | [[Image:Pied_Wagtail_juv_by_cheersm8.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Pied Wagtail ''M. a. yarrelli'', juvenile<br />Photo © by {{user|cheersm8|cheersm8}}<br />Grazing Marsh, [[Cambridgeshire]], [[UK]], 3 July 2009]] | ||
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==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
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Widespread and abundant from [[Iceland]], northern [[Norway]] and Novaya Zemlya south to the north Mediterranean coast and northwest [[Africa]], and east across northern and central [[Asia]] in [[Siberia]], [[Japan]], [[Korea]], [[China]] and the [[Himalaya]]; also just into [[North America]] in western [[Alaska]]. In the Mediterranean breeds on [[Sicily]] and [[Crete]], irregularly on [[Sardinia]] and [[Cyprus]]. | Widespread and abundant from [[Iceland]], northern [[Norway]] and Novaya Zemlya south to the north Mediterranean coast and northwest [[Africa]], and east across northern and central [[Asia]] in [[Siberia]], [[Japan]], [[Korea]], [[China]] and the [[Himalaya]]; also just into [[North America]] in western [[Alaska]]. In the Mediterranean breeds on [[Sicily]] and [[Crete]], irregularly on [[Sardinia]] and [[Cyprus]]. | ||
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==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
====Subspecies==== | ====Subspecies==== | ||
− | + | Ten subspecies are accepted Clements<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>, and nine by IOC<sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup>: | |
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*''M. a. yarrellii'' - '''Pied Wagtail''' | *''M. a. yarrellii'' - '''Pied Wagtail''' | ||
+ | [[Image:P7096813m f.jpg|thumb|350px|right|''M. a. alba'', Juvenile<br />Photo © by {{user|Cristian+Mihai|Cristian Mihai}}<br />Ciocanu (AG), [[Romania]], 9 July 2016]] | ||
:*[[Ireland]], [[Britain]] and locally adjacent coastal western Europe; mainly resident, some wintering south to [[Spain]]. Differs from ''M. a. alba'' in having black rather than grey back and dark dusky flanks; female have greyer back, but still clearly darker than ''M. a. alba''; other plumages also similar to ''M. a. alba'' but with darker tones especially on back, flanks and rump. Sometimes split as a separate species<sup>[[#References|[3]]]</sup>. | :*[[Ireland]], [[Britain]] and locally adjacent coastal western Europe; mainly resident, some wintering south to [[Spain]]. Differs from ''M. a. alba'' in having black rather than grey back and dark dusky flanks; female have greyer back, but still clearly darker than ''M. a. alba''; other plumages also similar to ''M. a. alba'' but with darker tones especially on back, flanks and rump. Sometimes split as a separate species<sup>[[#References|[3]]]</sup>. | ||
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*''M. a. alba'' - '''White Wagtail''' | *''M. a. alba'' - '''White Wagtail''' | ||
− | :*Southeast [[Greenland]], [[Iceland]], the [[Faroe Islands]], [[Scandinavia]], and throughout continental Europe east to the Ural Mountains and the Caucasus; summer visitor in northern areas, resident further south; a common passage migrant and rare breeder in [[Britain]], and vagrant in eastern [[USA]]. IOC includes ''M. a. dukhunensis'' and ''M. a. persica'' in ''M. a. alba'' as synonyms | + | :*Southeast [[Greenland]], [[Iceland]], the [[Faroe Islands]], [[Scandinavia]], and throughout continental Europe east to the Ural Mountains and the Caucasus; summer visitor in northern areas, resident further south; a common [[Dictionary_P-S#P|passage migrant]] and rare breeder in [[Britain]], and vagrant in eastern [[USA]]. IOC includes ''M. a. dukhunensis'' and ''M. a. persica'' in ''M. a. alba'' as synonyms<sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup>. |
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*''M. a. dukhunensis'' | *''M. a. dukhunensis'' | ||
:*Southern [[Russia]] and the Caucasus. Paler back than ''M. a. alba'' and broader white markings on greater coverts, but intergrades extensively. | :*Southern [[Russia]] and the Caucasus. Paler back than ''M. a. alba'' and broader white markings on greater coverts, but intergrades extensively. | ||
+ | [[Image:Black-backed_Wagtail_070408-2925.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Black-backed Wagtail ''M. a. lugens'', adult male<br />Photo © by {{user|Francksan|Francksan}}<br />Hokkaido, [[Japan]], 8 April 2007]] | ||
*''M. a. subpersonata'' - '''Moroccan White Wagtail''' | *''M. a. subpersonata'' - '''Moroccan White Wagtail''' | ||
:*Western [[Morocco]]; resident; vagrant in [[France]]. Head and breast black with white forehead, and side of head a complex pattern of black and white and white spot on the sides of neck. | :*Western [[Morocco]]; resident; vagrant in [[France]]. Head and breast black with white forehead, and side of head a complex pattern of black and white and white spot on the sides of neck. | ||
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:*South-central Siberia to northeast [[China]]. Similar to ''M. a. alba'' but males with extensive white on wing coverts forming a large white wing panel. | :*South-central Siberia to northeast [[China]]. Similar to ''M. a. alba'' but males with extensive white on wing coverts forming a large white wing panel. | ||
*''M. a. ocularis'' | *''M. a. ocularis'' | ||
− | :*Northern Siberia to northwest [[Alaska]]; winters southeast Asia; vagrant on the west coast of [[North America]] south to [[Baja California]]. Similar to ''M. a. alba'' but | + | :*Northern Siberia to northwest [[Alaska]]; winters southeast Asia; vagrant on the west coast of [[North America]] south to [[Baja California]]. Similar to ''M. a. alba'' but differs from it and ''M. a. baicalensis'' in fine black line through eye. |
*''M. a. lugens'' - '''Black-backed Wagtail''' | *''M. a. lugens'' - '''Black-backed Wagtail''' | ||
− | :*Coastal southeast Siberia and islands, northern [[Korea]] and northern and central [[Japan]]; vagrant on the west coast of [[North America]]. Black above with white | + | [[Image:White Wagtail 4.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Himalayan Wagtail ''M. a. alboides''<br />Photo © by {{user|peterday|peterday}}<br />[[Bhutan]], 13 April 2010]] |
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+ | :*Coastal southeast Siberia and islands, northern [[Korea]] and northern and central [[Japan]]; vagrant on the west coast of [[North America]]. Black above with extensive white on wing coverts and flight feathers forming a large white wing panel. Black line through eye similar to ''M. a. ocularis''. Separated as a distinct species by the American Ornithologists' Union from 1982 until 2005, when lumped back into ''M. alba.'' Sometimes still treated as full species<sup>[[#References|[4]]]</sup>. | ||
*''M. a. leucopsis'' - '''Amur Wagtail''' | *''M. a. leucopsis'' - '''Amur Wagtail''' | ||
:*Inland southeast Siberia, central and eastern [[China]], southern [[Korea]] and southwest [[Japan]]. When ''M. a. lugens'' treated as a species, included in it as a subspecies; also occasionally considered a separate species. | :*Inland southeast Siberia, central and eastern [[China]], southern [[Korea]] and southwest [[Japan]]. When ''M. a. lugens'' treated as a species, included in it as a subspecies; also occasionally considered a separate species. | ||
*''M. a. alboides'' - '''Himalayan Wagtail''' | *''M. a. alboides'' - '''Himalayan Wagtail''' | ||
:*Central and eastern Himalaya to southern [[China]], northern [[Indochina]] and northern [[Myanmar]]. When ''M. a. lugens'' treated as a species, included in it as a subspecies; also occasionally considered a separate species. | :*Central and eastern Himalaya to southern [[China]], northern [[Indochina]] and northern [[Myanmar]]. When ''M. a. lugens'' treated as a species, included in it as a subspecies; also occasionally considered a separate species. | ||
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==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
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Open areas with some vegetation from Arctic regions and high mountains to semi-deserts and sea-coasts. Usually beside freshwater including ditches, streams, rivers and from pools up to the largest lakes and reservoirs. Also occurs away from water on farmland, frequently in farmyards and in town parks and gardens. Often forms large roosts in winter. | Open areas with some vegetation from Arctic regions and high mountains to semi-deserts and sea-coasts. Usually beside freshwater including ditches, streams, rivers and from pools up to the largest lakes and reservoirs. Also occurs away from water on farmland, frequently in farmyards and in town parks and gardens. Often forms large roosts in winter. | ||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
+ | [[Image:IMG 16785.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Masked White Wagtail, ''M. a. personata''<br />Photo © by {{user|barty63|Mike Barth}}<br />[[United Arab Emirates]], 3 December 2016]] | ||
Very active, running around on open ground to pick up insects; usually fairly noisy, calling frequently. Like all wagtails, wags tail up and down almost constantly. Sings from a conspicuous perch, such as roof or wall tops. | Very active, running around on open ground to pick up insects; usually fairly noisy, calling frequently. Like all wagtails, wags tail up and down almost constantly. Sings from a conspicuous perch, such as roof or wall tops. | ||
====Flight==== | ====Flight==== | ||
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====Diet==== | ====Diet==== | ||
Can be seen scuttling around after insects, larvae and other invertebrates; also takes human-provided food like breadcrumbs. | Can be seen scuttling around after insects, larvae and other invertebrates; also takes human-provided food like breadcrumbs. | ||
+ | [[Image:IMG 64232.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Moroccan White Wagtail, ''M. a. subpersonata''<br />Photo © by {{user|barty63|barty63}}<br />[[Morocco]], 19 October 2017]] | ||
====Vocalisation==== | ====Vocalisation==== | ||
Strong ''tchizick'' in flight | Strong ''tchizick'' in flight | ||
− | + | {{ Audio|Motacilla alba (song).mp3 }} | |
− | ''[[Media:Motacilla alba (song).mp3| | + | ''[[Media:Motacilla alba (song).mp3|White Wagtail voice clip]]'' |
+ | [[Image:White wagtail motacilla alba ocularis seoul South Korea 4Jan 17.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Black-backed Wagtail, ''M. a. lugens'', winter plumage<br />Photo © by {{user|thebirdguy|thebirdguy}}<br />Seoul, [[South Korea]], 4 January 2017]] | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Gallery== | ||
+ | Click on photo for larger image | ||
+ | <gallery> | ||
+ | Image:Black-backed wagtail in flight.jpg|Subspecies ''lugens''<br />Photo © by {{user|katastrofa|katastrofa}}<br />Yatsu-higata mudflats, Tokyo, [[Japan]], 22 March 2018 | ||
+ | Image:DSC06400 1 .jpg| Subspecies ''yarrelli'', flycatching<br />Photo © by {{user|LesR|LesR}}<br />[[Kent]], 23 April 2016 | ||
+ | </gallery> | ||
+ | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
− | #{{Ref- | + | #{{Ref-Clements6thAug18}}#{{Ref-GillDonsker18V8.2}}#van den Berg, A. (2016). ''Dutch Birding'' [https://www.dutchavifauna.nl/static/images/page/webprog20160501-103.pdf Checklist of Dutch bird species] |
− | #{{Ref-Sibley00}}#( | + | #{{Ref-Sibley00}}#Adriaens, P., Bosman D. & Elst, J. (2010). White Wagtail and Pied Wagtail: a new look. Dutch Birding 32: 229-250. |
− | #Birdwatching | + | #Alström, P. and K. Mild. 2003. Pipits and wagtails. Princeton: Princeton University Press. |
+ | #Badyaev, A. V., D. D. Gibson, B. Kessel, P. Pyle, and M. A. Patten (2017). White Wagtail (''Motacilla alba''), version 3.0. In The Birds of North America (P. G. #Rodewald, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. Retrieved from Birds of North America: https://birdsna.org/Species-Account/bna/species/whiwag | ||
+ | #Morlan, J. (1981). Status and identification of forms of White Wagtails in western North America. Continental Birdlife no. 2:37-50. | ||
+ | #Tyler, S. (2018). White Wagtail (''Motacilla alba''). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/57821 on 9 September 2018). | ||
+ | #Birdwatching Magazine | ||
{{ref}} | {{ref}} | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
− | {{GSearch|Motacilla | + | {{GSearch|"Motacilla alba" {{!}} "White Wagtail" {{!}} "Pied Wagtail" {{!}} "Masked Wagtail" {{!}} "Black-backed Wagtail" {{!}} "Amur Wagtail" {{!}} "Himalayan Wagtail"}} |
+ | <br /> | ||
+ | {{VSearch|"Motacilla alba" {{!}} "White Wagtail" {{!}} "Pied Wagtail" {{!}} "Masked Wagtail" {{!}} "Black-backed Wagtail" {{!}} "Amur Wagtail" {{!}} "Himalayan Wagtail", video}} | ||
+ | {{GS-checked}}1 | ||
<br /> | <br /> | ||
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<br /> | <br /> | ||
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− | [[Category:Birds]][[Category:Motacilla]][[Category:Bird Songs]][[Category:Videos]] | + | [[Category:Birds]][[Category:Motacilla]][[Category:Bird Songs]] [[Category:Videos]] |
Revision as of 11:28, 9 September 2023
- Motacilla alba
Includes: Pied Wagtail; Masked Wagtail; Black-backed Wagtail; Amur Wagtail; Himalayan Wagtail
Identification
Length 16.5–18 cm (6-7 in), weight 17-25 g
Nominate subspecies in spring plumage is grey above with two white wingbars and white edgings to several feather tracts and white below (including relatively clean flanks), it has a white face, black cap and black throat; male has sharp demarkation of cap versus mantle, female diffuse.
In winter, the black in the throat area is reduced to a relatively narrow band, and the contrast on the upperside is reduced to the extent that the female may completely lack the black cap.
Juvenile plumage can be extremely weakly marked, but soon becomes first winter, which is similar to a less contrasting winter female; however, the head especially can look yellowish.
A thread discussing the separation of White and Pied Wagtails.
Variation among subspecies is large; for descriptive notes on other subspecies see the taxonomy section.
Distribution
Widespread and abundant from Iceland, northern Norway and Novaya Zemlya south to the north Mediterranean coast and northwest Africa, and east across northern and central Asia in Siberia, Japan, Korea, China and the Himalaya; also just into North America in western Alaska. In the Mediterranean breeds on Sicily and Crete, irregularly on Sardinia and Cyprus.
A summer visitor to the north and east of its range, resident elsewhere. Widespread throughout southern Europe and around the Mediterranean in winter with some migrants wintering in tropical Africa and Asia.
Vagrants recorded north to Bear Island, Jan Mayen and Svalbard and south to the Azores, Madeira and Cape Verde Islands, and in North America mostly on the west coast south to Baja California, but also in Michigan, Louisiana, Florida, and North and South Carolina.
Taxonomy
Subspecies
Ten subspecies are accepted Clements[1], and nine by IOC[2]:
- M. a. yarrellii - Pied Wagtail
- Ireland, Britain and locally adjacent coastal western Europe; mainly resident, some wintering south to Spain. Differs from M. a. alba in having black rather than grey back and dark dusky flanks; female have greyer back, but still clearly darker than M. a. alba; other plumages also similar to M. a. alba but with darker tones especially on back, flanks and rump. Sometimes split as a separate species[3].
- M. a. alba - White Wagtail
- Southeast Greenland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Scandinavia, and throughout continental Europe east to the Ural Mountains and the Caucasus; summer visitor in northern areas, resident further south; a common passage migrant and rare breeder in Britain, and vagrant in eastern USA. IOC includes M. a. dukhunensis and M. a. persica in M. a. alba as synonyms[2].
- M. a. dukhunensis
- Southern Russia and the Caucasus. Paler back than M. a. alba and broader white markings on greater coverts, but intergrades extensively.
- M. a. subpersonata - Moroccan White Wagtail
- M. a. personata - Masked Wagtail
- M. a. baicalensis
- South-central Siberia to northeast China. Similar to M. a. alba but males with extensive white on wing coverts forming a large white wing panel.
- M. a. ocularis
- Northern Siberia to northwest Alaska; winters southeast Asia; vagrant on the west coast of North America south to Baja California. Similar to M. a. alba but differs from it and M. a. baicalensis in fine black line through eye.
- M. a. lugens - Black-backed Wagtail
- Coastal southeast Siberia and islands, northern Korea and northern and central Japan; vagrant on the west coast of North America. Black above with extensive white on wing coverts and flight feathers forming a large white wing panel. Black line through eye similar to M. a. ocularis. Separated as a distinct species by the American Ornithologists' Union from 1982 until 2005, when lumped back into M. alba. Sometimes still treated as full species[4].
- M. a. leucopsis - Amur Wagtail
- M. a. alboides - Himalayan Wagtail
Habitat
Open areas with some vegetation from Arctic regions and high mountains to semi-deserts and sea-coasts. Usually beside freshwater including ditches, streams, rivers and from pools up to the largest lakes and reservoirs. Also occurs away from water on farmland, frequently in farmyards and in town parks and gardens. Often forms large roosts in winter.
Behaviour
Very active, running around on open ground to pick up insects; usually fairly noisy, calling frequently. Like all wagtails, wags tail up and down almost constantly. Sings from a conspicuous perch, such as roof or wall tops.
Flight
Markedly undulating flight.
Breeding
The nest is a grass cup in hole or crevice and can be found in a bank, cliff, woodpile or shed. The clutch consists of 5 or 6 whitish eggs speckled with grey. They are incubated for about 2 weeks and fledge a further 2 weeks later. There may be 2 or 3 broods in the season which runs from March to September.
Diet
Can be seen scuttling around after insects, larvae and other invertebrates; also takes human-provided food like breadcrumbs.
Vocalisation
Strong tchizick in flight White Wagtail voice clip
Gallery
Click on photo for larger image
Subspecies lugens
Photo © by katastrofa
Yatsu-higata mudflats, Tokyo, Japan, 22 March 2018
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2018. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2018. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Gill, F & D Donsker (Eds). 2018. IOC World Bird List (v8.2). doi : 10.14344/IOC.ML.8.2. Available at http://www.worldbirdnames.org/
- van den Berg, A. (2016). Dutch Birding Checklist of Dutch bird species
- Sibley, DA. 2000. The Sibley Guide to Birds. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN 978-0679451228
- Adriaens, P., Bosman D. & Elst, J. (2010). White Wagtail and Pied Wagtail: a new look. Dutch Birding 32: 229-250.
- Alström, P. and K. Mild. 2003. Pipits and wagtails. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
- Badyaev, A. V., D. D. Gibson, B. Kessel, P. Pyle, and M. A. Patten (2017). White Wagtail (Motacilla alba), version 3.0. In The Birds of North America (P. G. #Rodewald, Editor). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. Retrieved from Birds of North America: https://birdsna.org/Species-Account/bna/species/whiwag
- Morlan, J. (1981). Status and identification of forms of White Wagtails in western North America. Continental Birdlife no. 2:37-50.
- Tyler, S. (2018). White Wagtail (Motacilla alba). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/57821 on 9 September 2018).
- Birdwatching Magazine
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) White Wagtail. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 13 June 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/White_Wagtail
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1